10 Times Artists Forgot Their Own Lyrics Live
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re looking at moments when musicians totally forgot the words to their songs in front of an audience.
Ariana Grande
By 2013, Ariana Grande was on the verge of becoming one of pop music’s biggest stars. That year the future Academy Award nominee treated fans to an intimate and low-key show for Red Bull Sound Space. While singing her song, “Right There,” Grande drew a blank. She recovered only a few seconds later, but then forgot the words again. She happily laughed the blunder off and asked the audience to help her out. She even went as far as to look up the lyrics to make sure they were correct. Happens to the best of us, Ari!
Elvis Presley
At a 1977 concert, the one and only Elvis Presley went off script during his performance of “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” During the interlude, The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll stumbled over his words, and had trouble getting back on track. He proceeded to playfully babble and question who he was supposed to be talking to. After a few inaudible words, he started rhyming, which elicited laughs from the audience. For some, this might have been an embarrassing moment; but for Presley, he was totally aware of his mistake, joyfully laughing through the awkwardness.
Drake
In 2012, Drake celebrated New Year’s Eve by putting on a show. However, the celebration was momentarily paused when Drake forgot the lyrics to his song, “The Motto.” Fans were quick to notice his error but cheered him on nonetheless. This wasn’t the first nor the last time he had this issue. In 2023, during his “It’s All a Blur” tour, some audience members took to social media to express their frustrations with him for missing his lyrics. However, Champagne Papi doesn’t seem to be “In (His) Feelings” over it.
Chris Martin
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has been making music for decades, but even he makes mistakes every now and then. While performing in Vienna in 2017, the lyrics to Coldplay’s collaboration with Rihanna, “Princess of China,” slipped his mind. He asked his bandmates to stop playing and ended up confessing his mistake to the crowd. He then jokingly asked for it not to end up on YouTube. However, his blunder did end up online and lo and behold, here we are. Sorry Chris! Looks like it was just too good not to share.
Miley Cyrus
Breaking free from her “Hannah Montana” image, Miley Cyrus took the stage in 2009 to show off her new edgier style. Cyrus flew across the pond to appear on UK’s “Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway” to promote her new single, “Fly on the Wall.” Everything was going well, until the lyrics flew right out of the singer’s memory. Her voice trailed off and she turned her head for a brief moment. However, she jumped back into it, remembering all her words, choreography and blocking for the remainder of the performance.
Patti LaBelle
During her 1996 recital at the National Tree Lighting in DC, Patti LaBelle was faced with an interesting situation. At the beginning of “This Christmas,” her background singers were noticeably absent; so the songstress called them out. After that, she proclaimed that the lyrics on her cue cards were incorrect, announcing to the crowd that she didn’t know the song. Eventually, her trio of backup singers joined her, but by the time they arrived tensions were already high. Ever the professional, the “Lady Marmalade” singer made it through with improvisation and riffing. Guess this wasn’t the most wonderful time of the year for Ms. LaBelle!
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey was feeling all kinds of “Emotions” during her final gig of 2016. Performing live on “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest,” the prolific singer had a rocky start with her hit “Emotions,” announcing to the crowd that she didn’t have a “soundcheck.” Carey proceeded to talk through the song, haphazardly dancing and barely even lip-syncing. After transitioning into “We Belong Together,” she struggled to redeem the performance and walked off at the end appearing understandably upset. A month later, Carey was interviewed about the mishap, naming a failed earpiece, a faulty mic, and missing dancers as reasons for the messy situation.
Demi Lovato
While appearing on “Good Morning America,” Demi Lovato nearly made our hearts skip a beat. In the midst of performing her chart topper, “Heart Attack,” Lovato forgot her own lyrics. Luckily, the “Sorry Not Sorry” musician took it all in stride and was able to quickly get back on track. Playing it off by baring a smile and laughing through the remainder of the performance, Lovato was the epitome of “Confident.” We also can’t forget to credit her powerhouse vocals for helping to sweep the awkward moment under the rug.
Adele
Adele could literally “Set Fire to the Rain” with her powerful vocals. But even this brilliant diva has been known to make a mistake every now and then. While doing a concert in Lisbon, the Academy Award winner began to sing the wrong part of her ballad “Million Years Ago.” She caught herself right away, proceeding to drop a few expletives. She had a good laugh with the crowd before picking up where she left off and proving that she has one of the best senses of humor in the biz.
Justin Bieber
Perhaps Justin Bieber should have reviewed the lyrics to “Despacito” before his NYC gig in 2017. While taking the stage at the famed nightclub 1 Oak, the Canadian pop star belted out the hit song that he shares with Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee. Unfortunately, things went off the rails, as the “Daisies” artist drew a blank. He then just started rhyming words like “Dorito,” eventually resorting to singing “Blah, Blah, Blah.” It was a cringey moment for both him and the crowd. Guess it is a little “too late now to say sorry,” Biebs!
Which one of these songs do you think you know by heart? Be sure to tell us in the comments!
